Vibratory electric motor apparatus



May 19, 1942- J. A. HANLEY 2,283,551

. VIBRATORY ELECTRIC MOTOR APPARATUS I l I Filed Jlln 19, 1937 ATTO RN EYS Patented May 19, 1942 VIBRATORY ELECTRIC MOTOR APPARATUS John A. Hanley, Noroton, Conn., assigner to Gillette Safety Razor Company, Boston, Mass., a

`corporation of Delaware Application June 19, 1937, Serial No. 149,055

12 Claims.

While the present invention is shown applied to an electric shaver, it is applicable also to a variety of other generally analogous apparatus, such as hair clippers, massaging devices and the like, and the vibratory motor incorporated therein is of general utility in other applications.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide an encased electric motor structure of low cost, suitable for a device of the above type which shall evolve high power forsmall bulk and shall have a minimum number of rugged parts correlated without resort to pivot screws or pins that are apt to come loose or out of alignment and which can accordingly be assembled easily and economically.

Another object is to provide a device of the above type, which in addition to the primary cutting action in the shaving embodiment, inherently performs a vigorous vibrating or massaging action that promotes the shearing, shaving or clipping action.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device with the cover removed and parts shown in section, better to reveal the details of construction;

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. l, i

Figs. 3 and 4 are views in transverse section taken respectively on lines 3-3 and 6-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the armature unit, and

Fig. 6 is a fragment of a view similar to Fig. l showing a modication.

Referring now to the drawing there is shown an insulating casing involving a base I0 and cover ll serving as the handle for the electrically driven shaver or other tool and housing the vibratory electric motor. generally rectangular open soft iron magnetic frame including a fixed field structure l2 and a movable armature t3. The field structure is *made up of a stack of generally U-shaped laminations l2 secured to the floor of the casing by a pair of screws Ml threaded into metal nuts or 'sockets l'preferably molded into the base of the casing. The armature 63 is made up of a'stack ofv generally L-shaped laminations i3 held together l The motor comprises a ferred construction of such thrust bearing the toe of the L-shaped armature has an obtuse dihedral angular extension or peak I1 lodged in an obtuse dihedral angular depression I8 ofwider angularity, in the end of the field leg I9. The outer leg 20 of the field structures is longer than leg I9 so that the lengthof the armature which extends transversely thereacross is in contiguity thereto.

A spring, preferably an elliptic leaf spring 2l is hooked at its extremities to anchoring lugs 22 and '23 that are stamped integrally with the shorter legs of thelaminations making upv the field and armature structures. The spring 2| draws the armature against the field structure andA maintains the left oblique walls of the respective trough and peak as shown in Fig. I, in face-toface engagement, with the apex a of said peak in the angle of the trough I8, and a small angular gap 25 exists between the corresponding right sides of the dihedral angles formed therebetween. Spring 2| is free from engagement with the motor, and casing, except at its anchored extremities, so that it may vibrate without obstruction in motor operation.

Electromagnet spools 26 and 21 encircle the respective legs I9 and 20 of the eld structure and are lodged against movement in corresponding depressions in the floor of the casing as appears best from Figs. 3 and 4. The spools are connected in series by conduit 28, andthe conduit leads 29 and 30 therefrom are attached to terminal screws 3| and 32 respectivelyfwhich have electrical and mechanical Contact with metal stampings 33 that protrude through the molded flexible rubber bushing 34 within which they are connected to the conductorelements of the cord set 35. The bushing 34 is rectangular in form and fits in corresponding rectangular recesses 3l' respectively in the casing l0 and the cover ll thereof.

An intermediate lamination 13a of the armature, as best shown in Fig. 5 preferably of greater thickness than the other laminations is elongated and conformed to extend about the spool 2i as at tl to serve as the tool operating arm til which protrudes centrally outward through a port 42 in the forward end of the casing for coaction, in the electric shaver embodiment, with a movable blade d3 to be oscillated thereby for performing the shearing action. Blade :t3 coacts with a fixed blade 44 which may be mounted on studs d5 molded into the end of the casing. An open rectangular metal' clamp structure t6 engages the ends of the blade assembly and snaps over lateral inwardly inclined lugs 41 molded as part of the casing. The structure of the cutter illustratively shown, need not be more fully described as it is not per se, the subject of the present application but is more fully described rnd claimed in various prior patents issued to.me, including Patent No.'2,246,586 granted June 24, 1941, on a copending application Serial No. 303,597 filed November 9, 1939.

A cushion 50 comprising a generally rectangular block of resilient rubber is centrally perforated at 5| to encircle the extension arm 40 of the armature and is lodged against cdrresponding shoulders in the casing and its cover, the latter compressing said resilient rubber block snugly to embrace the operating arm 40. Shoulders 52 on the operating arm 40 engage rubber block 50 and help to keep it in place.

The cover |I at the rear end is as deep as the casing I0, the rear walls of said elements affording complementary notches snugly to embrace the neck 53 of the resilient bushing 34. The casing I and the cover II also have integral studs 54 and 55 respectively lodged in corresponding grooves 56 in bushing 34. Studs 54 and 55 are perforated to accommodate a fastening screw threaded into a socket or nut 58 molded into the base of stud 54. The lateral casing walls 59 extend obliquely upward from the rear and the lateral walls of the cover extend correspondingly obliquely to narrow to a relatively sharp forward edge 6I) to the rear of the tool mounting end of the casing Apair of shorter cover fastening screws 6| laterally of the cushion 5U are threaded into corresponding sockets or nuts 62 molded into the casing.

In operation, alternations in the magnetization of the soft iron frame I2, I3 will occur with a frequency corresponding to that of the source of current. As the magnetization reaches a maximum the armature I3 will be attracted by rocking about the apex of peak I1 toward the right, against the resistance of spring 2| as well as against the resistance of resilient cushion 5U, both of which stressed elements Conjointly help promptly to return the armature to the position shown in Fig. 1 upon dema'gnetization in the course of each reversal of current phase. Thus on a 60 cycle circuit the motor armature will perform 7200 oscillations per minute and the 'shearing plate 43 or corresponding too'l element will be oscillated at tha-trate.

The cushion 50 performs the combined functions of preventing contact between the operating arm 40 with the casing, of preventing complete closure of gap 25, and of imposing a resilient load on the armature, thereby storing energy which acts to bias the armature to return after each magnetic impulse. The spring 2| acts conjointly with the cushion 50 in imposing a resilient load, and releasing its stored energy for armature return, and in addition it keeps the apex a of the armature against the end of the eld structure throughout operation and thus .prevents the possibility of chattering or clatter- 30 quire.

i0 ting action by the sliding of the movable blade 43 relative to the xed blade 44, the entire unit oscillates vigorously at frequency corresponding to that of the motor'actuating current. [i rnechanical massaging action is accordingly iml5 parted to the skin while the shaving proceeds,

'with the beneficial results commonly attributed to such action. By this operation discomfort to the skin in shaving is avoided as the hair is more readily caused to enter between the teeth of the cutter, and the ejection of the clippings is also facilitated by such vibration. Therefore the ease of shaving is enhanced as compared to a corresponding instrument operated from a rotary armature and devoid of the vibratory action set forth.

The construction is seen to be of extreme simplicity, with no rotary bearings and with the elimination of the need for precision of manufacture and adjustment that such bearings re- There is also the elimination of all circuit interrupters and' associated arc quenchers and the disturbing effect of said interrupters on radio receivers is obviated. The motor being self-starting, the starting wheel or roller of conventional electric Shavers is also eliminated.

The few rugged parts4 making up the assembly are readilyput together without the need for skilled workmanship.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the leaf spring 2| is replaced by a cushion comprising `a soft rubber block 10 carried in a cradle 1| affixed to an extension 12 of the armature beyond the thrust bearing element Il thereof. Rubber block 10 reacts against a ledge 'I3 in the casing .15 I0. Accordingly, in operation, the cushion 'I0 is compressed and stores energy as the armature when attracted by the eld structure rocks clockwise about pivot I1. The stressed rubber block 'lil upon demagnetization of the magnetic frame therefor helps to return the armature to position -corresponding t0 that of Fig. 1, and performs all the other functions of spring 2|.

It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which appa ratus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above ferent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying 65 drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having vthus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A` vibratory electric motor of the character described, comprising a magnetic frame including a fixed field structure and an armature with an associated electromagnet coil, the magnetic end face of said armature at one end thereof having thrust bearing engagement with the magcostosi net-ic oud o @eid structure, seid beer si depression in the end ieee oi one oi seid elements ci Wider singularity and e projection on the end foce of the other element oi? rierrower singularity to permit rocking movemeut of the armature reletive to the field struc-s ture, seid ermeture ond eld structure having spring enchere adjacent seid thrust bearing and e. licei spring connecting seid snchors und resist-n ine' the epproech oi seid ermeture to seid field stm-store,

electric tailorstortv motor of the'cless described, comprising en operi generally reotangu ier moeiietic frame, on electromsgiiet coii there about, freine including e rield structure and en ermsiture iii thrust bearing engouement et one erid thereof, the thrust peering construction comprisirigs megnetic dihedral trough iii the enti fece of one oi seid. eierrieiits oi somewhat greeter origulerity, und e, magnetic dihedrel peek in the end foce ci the other oi lesser sneulsrity, und s, teef spring anchored odjocerit said thrust boerin@ to the field structure sud armature and service to mointein seid thrust bearing engage merit end opposing the action ci? the eiectromue= not cou integrati lues protruding from the ends oi the' euch of seid resilient ineens et ell times engagim; the ermeture oud resisting' the movement thereof for e. floating action.

5. in apparatus ci' the character described, e. hoodie casing, e magnetic frame therein-with en associated electroriisgnet cod und comprisin@ s eld structure end an armature, and extendine geuereliy longitudinally of the casing.

- seid armature be pivoted neer tbe rear end thereof with respect to the ield structure and having s unitary operating' erro protruding through the forward end of said casing constituting en extension of said ormoture and adapted to support e tool and e compressible bloei:

through which said arm extends, said block beinel clamped by the casing wall and serving resilientiy to cushion the lateral movement oi said arm under motor operatione d. In apparatus of the character described, s handle casing, e magnet therein with an associated electromagnet coil, and comprising a field structure und en armature and extending;1 gen orally longitudinally of the casing, said ermuture having e. unitary operating arm protruding through the forward end ot said casing and adapted to support o tooi, said armature having e roc engagement with the field structure at the end thereof opposite scid operetiug-srm, moons connecting seid ori''ieture to seid Estd structure edieceiit seid region oi reciting tei-ion to tilt the eicoeture ewe'y from the eid structure, e compu-essie ble cushion means encoding said operating end retained by the casing weil.,

7. The combination recited in claim o iii which the cushion ineens is o. soit rubber biccir. perf i'oroted to uccorrimoslete the operating erm, compressed by the cosine cover, and engaged et one foce by lugs ori ,the operating erm.

i3, in apparatus ci the character described uit insuleting casing, o laminated generally operi rectangular magnetic ironie therein, with su electrcmegnet coil encirciirig si port thereof, seid iframe including o generally iiwsheiped field strucu ture secured to the cosine, und e. generatie i,u shaped orinsture having thrust bearing; entgegen ment with the field structure et the inner end thereof, seid thrust boei-ine comprising eri ohu tuse trough in the end of the iieid structure und e somewhet less obtuse peut. on the end oi the armature, u spring anchored et its ends the side Wells oi the iield structure und armature respectively and tending to tilt the armature sway from the eld structure, e. ieminetioii ci the armature extending thereberond through forward end oi the ces-ius epd :adopted to-moui'it u tool.,

ii vibretory electric motor comprising e. structure en armature having e thrust beeriiie engagement with seid field structure bydirect rocking contact therewith, on electromagiiet coil. associated with scid structure und resiiieut moons comprising soit rubber cushions meer opposite ends of the urmoture, oooh interposed in the path oi end resisting the rocisirie; truitema ment oi the armature,

iii. in opparotus oi the character described, u handle casing, u vibrotory electric motor therein, comprising e xed laminated meenetic field structure, e movable iemineted coecting armen ture structure, the-ends oi? the respective lemi rietioris oi field und armature structure being in direct pivot thrust engagement, resilient means maintaining said engagement, said means com prisng a spring engaging the extremities of the eld und armature structure respectively and urging the armature about its pivot sway from the field structure, the ormoture having rigid therewith a. tool operating erm protruding from the casing.

1l. The combination recited in claim 10 in which the tool operating emi constitutes a unitary extension of one or the leminstlons making up the armature structure.

12. In apparatus oi' the character described, e, handle casing, a vibrators? electric motor therein, comprising a generally U-shaped laminated eid structure having the end o1! one leg notched es o pivot thrust bearing, an electromagnetic coil about the other leg of seid deld structure, e, leminated L-shaped armature structure, the ends oi' the laminations thereof deinim e ridge bearing against said thrust beeririe structure, resiiient means adjacent seid. thrust beuriuo structure and urging'the armature to opeu position, seid amature having e tool operstiug iever uuiteiry therewith protruding through one end ci the cosine. 

